River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-07-28
PRAYER ANSWERED.:

PRAYER ANSWERED.:
On the summit of Washington Noun
tain, overlooking the Housatonic Valley
stood hut, the home of John Barry
a poor charcoal burner, whose family
consisted of his wife and himself. Hi.
occupation brought him in but few
dollars, and when cold weather came
he managed to get together only 9
small provision for the winter. This fail
after summer of hard work, he fell
sick, and was unable to keep his fire,
going. So, when the snow of December
1874, fell and the drifts had shut of
communication with the village at the
foot of the mountain, John and his
wife were in great straits.
Their entire stock of food consisted
of only few pounds of salt pork and
a bushel of potatoes; sugar, coffee, flour
and tea had, early in December, given
out, and the chances for replenishing
the latter were slim indeed. The snow
storms came again and the drifts
deepened. All the roads even in the
valley, were impossible, and no one
thought of trying to open the mountain
highways, which. even in summer,
were only occasionally travelled. and
none gave the old man and his wife a
thought.
December Is came, and with it the
heaviest fall of snow experienced in
Berkshire county in many years. The
food of the old couple was now reduced
to a days supply, but John did not yet
despair. He was Christian and a God
fearing man,and His promises were re-
membered, and so, when eveningcame,
and the northeast gale was blowing and
the fierce snowstorm was raging, John
and his wife were praying and asking
for help.
In Sheffield village, ten miles away,
lived Deacon Brown. well-to-do farmer,
80 years old, who was noted for his
piety and consistent department, both
rs a man and a Christian. The deacon
and his wife had gone to bed early, and
in spite of the storm raging without,
were sleeping soundly, when, with q
start the deacon awoke and said to his
wife: WHO spoke? Who's there?''
=. Why said his wife ''no one is here
but you and me; what is the matter
with you?" II heard a voice. said the
deacon, Saying send food to John. =
Nonsense, = replied Mrs. Brown, ego
to Sleep. You have been dreaming .
The deacon laid his head on his pillow
and was asleep in a minute. Soon he
started up again, and, waking his wife,
said: There heard that voice again,
''Send food to John
We'll. wen. said Mrs. Brown,
Deacon YOU are not we'll: your sup
per has not agreed with you. Lie
down and try and sleep" And the
deacon closed his eyes. and again the
voice was heard, ''Send food to John.
This time the Deacon was thoroughly
awake. Wife" said he who do we
know named John who needs food?''
No one | remember" replied Mrs.
Brown, .'unless it be John Barry, The
old charcoal burner on the mountain.
That's it. exclaimed the Deacon.
Now. / remember. when was at the
store in Sheffield the other day CLARK
the merchant, speaking of John Barry,
said: i wonder if the old man is alive
for ii IS six weeks since / saw him, and
lac has not vet laid in his winter stock
off groceries. 1T must be old John i.
sick and wanting food.
So saying the good Deacon arose and
proceeded to dress himself. Come
wife said he, awaken our boy Willie
and tell him to feed the horse and get
ready to 20 with me. and do you pack
up in the two largest baskets you have
a good supply of food, and get up al
early breakfast for | am going up the
mo untains to carry the food / know
John Barry needs"
Mrs. Brown, accustomed to the sud
den impulses of her good husband, anC
believing him to be always in the right
cheerfully complied, and after a ho
breakfast Deacon Brown and son Willie
a boy of 10, hitched up the horses tC
the double sleigh, and then, with {
months supply of food and "GOodby
mother" started at o'clock on thai
cold December morning for a journey
that almost any other man than Deacon
Brown and his son Willie would not
have dared to undertake.
The northeast storm was still raging
and the snow falling and drifting fast
but on, on went the stout, well-fed team
on its errand of mercy. while the occu.
pants of the sleigh, wrapped up il
blankets and extra buffalo robes, urged
the horses through the drifts and in the
face of the storm.
That ten miles ride, which required
i'm the summer hardly an hour or two
was not finished until the deacon:
watch showed that five hours had pass
ed.
At last they drew up in front of the
hut where the poor, trusting Christian
man and woman were on their knee,
praying for help to Him who is tn,
.'Hearer and answerer of prayer anC
as the deacon reached the door h'
heard the voice of supplication anC
then he knew that the message which
awakened him from sleep was sent from
heaven.
He knocked at the door, it wa
opened, and we can imagine the joy o
he old couule when the generous sup
ply of food was carried in, and tn,
Thanksgiving that were uttered by thu
starving tenants of that mountain hu
The Wicked Hawaiian King.